Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-12-28

CONTENTS

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Saturday that the
Republic of Cyprus does not rule out the possibility for the passage of
Turkish Cypriots civilians to Kokkina, adding however that it cannot
accept the refueling of the Turkish-occupying forces stationed in the
area.

Christofias was invited to comment on Talat`s statement that the
Turkish Cypriot side requested the granting of passage to Kokkina as a
trade-off for the opening of a crossing point in Limnitis, in the
northwestern part of Cyprus. The President said that initially the
Turkish Cypriot side demanded a passage for the Turkish Cypriots at
Pyla village as a trade-off for the opening of a crossing point at
Limnitis, which ``was unacceptable both from a political as well as
military point of view``. Christofias explained that this is beacuse
Pyla passage could be monitored by neither the Greek Cypriot side nor
the UN Peace Keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

He added that after UNFICYP made clear that they could not accept such
a passage, the Turkish Cypriot side revised its position and demanded a
land passage at Kokkina as a trade-off for the opening of a crossing
point at Limnitis.

The Cypriot people must be aware that Kokkina is exclusively a military
enclave, Christofias said, adding that ``there are no civilians in
Kokkina``.

``Because at the early stages they requested the passage of civilians
we said that we could discuss this, but later on refueling was
mentioned. Of course we did not reject a controlled passage of some
people but when the other side requests to refuel occupying forces I do
not know who could accept such a request,`` Cyprus President said.